Apple tree

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an Apple tree wherein the same comprises a combination of wide angle limb structure, large dark green leaves, golden color apple similar in shape to Starkrimson Red Delicious, smooth russet-free skin, abundant juice when green, early sugar sweet flavor, late harvest ability, long keeping quality in ordinary refrigeration, freeze resistance, firm fruit, high sugar content, exceptional bruise resistance, abundant fruit clusters on long stems and excellent resistance to mildew.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Appletree which was discovered by me as a chance seedling one year old,growing among Starkspur Golden Delicious, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,024, andStarkrimson Red Delicious, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,565, being a spreadingspur type tree and which I denominate as "Firm Gold" and was grown in myorchard in Zillah, Wash.

Inasmuch as this tree was growing among the Starkspur and Starkrimson,and has some of the characteristics of each, the tree was particularlynoticed because of the very large size of the leaves which are ratheroutstanding and dark green in color.

The wide angle limb structure of the seedling was also notable, and whenthe first crop of fruit was noticed, the long sleek shape of the applewas particularly noticeable as it is more like the Starkrimson in shapethan the usual Starkspur Golden Delicious.

The tree was tested by grafting the same over 6-year old Rome trees, and8-year old Romes which produce the same beautiful type apples which aresubstantially identical in every respect to those of the parent tree,the propagation of the trees being effected by grafting of which a largenumber have been prepared for planting in the same orchard as the parenttree with the fruit being observed as identical to that on the parenttree.

Succeeding generations have been grafted, and I am convinced that my newsport is definitely distinguished from its parent trees whichever theymay be, as well as from other varieties of apple trees of which I amaware, as evidenced by the following unique combination of principalcharacteristics which are outstanding in the sport:

1. The continuous ability to produce consistently, and particularly thevery large leaves which are substantially larger than those of StarkspurGolden and very dark green as noted.

2. The long, sleek shape of the apple resembling more the StarkrimsonRed apple than the usual Starkspur Gold.

3. The white lenticels in contrast to the Starkspur lenticels which areblack.

4. The five distinct points which make the apple more resembling theStarkrimson than is usually the case.

5. The very smooth skin which is free of russet.

6. The abundant juice even when the fruit is green, and the early sugarwith a sweet flavor before the Starkspur Goldens are comparably ripened.

7. The late harvest habit which is 2 weeks after the Starkspur season,and thus extends the season for Golden Delicious and particularly myvariety.

8. The long keeping characteristics of the fruit which have been keptfor 14 months under ordinary refrigeration with very little shrivelling,and it is notable that the fruit keeps as well in regular storage asother Golden Delicious do in controlled atmosphere storage.

9. The very distinctive larger and darker pink blossoms than those ofStarkspur Golden.

10. The firm fruit, pressure testing at harvest at 19-221/2 lbs., sugartesting 111/2-13% S.S. as compared to Starkspur Golden which tests 14-16lbs. with sugar at 10-11% S.S. The firmness preventing easy bruising andcontrasting with Starkspur which black marks upon rough handling.

11. The very prolific habit of fruiting which provides that many fruitspurs hold five perfectly formed apples, size 80's-88's because thestems are very long, and the tree on the average will produce fruitaveraging 80's to 100's in size.

12. The very resistant habit to mildew of the trees as compared toStarkspur and other apples around, with the buds and blossoms being veryfreeze resistant.

Asexual reproduction of my new variety through several generations bygrafting as performed by me in my orchard at Zillah, Wash., show thatthe foregoing characteristics and distinctions come true and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding progagations.

The accompanying drawing showing several branches with the very denseapple growth thereon, and characteristic shape of these apples, isillustrated in one view; the new apple of my variety being illustratedin comparison with the Starkspur Golden in another view, and immediatelybelow the same in section the respective apples compared, with the shapebeing evident and the points at the end being quite apparent in thatview, and a fourth view showing the leaves as compared with the muchsmaller leaf of the Starkspur Golden U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,024. Thetypical foliage and fruit specimens are all depicted in color as nearlytrue as is reasonable possible to make the same in a color illustrationof this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology reference being made to the Nickerson Color Fan published byMunsell Color Company, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are applicable:

Locality where grown and observed: Zillah, Wash.

Dates of first and last picking: About October 6 to October 12, with thesize, sugar and pressure testing indicating it would be proper to pickabout September 30, but the color must become a little more golden inorder to have them finish attractively.

Tree: Medium size; vigorous; spreading; dense; vase-formed; rapidgrowing; hardy; very productive; regular bearer.

Trunk.--Stocky; medium smooth.

Branches.--Medium; smooth; much-branched.

Color.--Green (light olive 7.5Y 5/5).

lenticels.--White; numerous; small.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Large; long (from about 5 inches); very wide (23/4 inches);ovate; taper-pointed; thick.

Color.--Dark Green (moderate Olive Green 7.5GY 4/4)

margin.--Finely serrate.

Petiole.--Length about 11/2 inches; medium thickness.

Flowers:

Dates of first and full bloom.--About April 26 and April 29respectively. This is about medium as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Hard and ripe, about October 6.

Size.--Uniform; axial diameter about 33/4 inches; transverse diameterabout 23/4 inches.

Form.--Very uniform; oblong; ovate.

Cavity.--Acute. Depth -- about 5/8 inches. Breadth -- about 1/2 inch.

Basin.--Abrupt; narrow; angular; pubescent.

Stem.--Slender caliper. Length -- About 11/2 inches.

Bracts.--Wanting.

Calyx.--Closed; segments persistent; narrowly acute; about 3/8 incheslong; erect; outer surface pubescent; inner surface pubescent.

Eye.--Small.

Skin.--Thick; smooth; glossy; waxed. Dots -- Obscure; many; small. Color-- White. Distribution -- Uniform. Ground color -- Pale or whitishgreen. Bloom -- wanting. General color effect -- Yellow (brilliantgreenish yellow 7.5Y 9/8) some blushing.

Flesh.--Juicy. Color -- White. Texture -- Hard; firm; fine; crisp.Flavor -- Sweet; sprightly; delicate. Aroma -- Pronounced. Quality --Best. Core -- Medium. Bundle area -- Medium sized; oblate; symmetrical.Halves of core -- Equal. Bundles -- Yellowish; conspicuous. Alternatebundle -- Reaches tube above stamens. Core lines -- Clasping; distinctcross section. Carpellary area -- Distinct; small size. Calyx tube --Pubescent; funnel formed. Stem of funnel -- Long. Depth of tube toshoulder -- About 3/8 inch. Entire depth -- About 5/8 inch. Styles --Present; united; pubescent. Stamens -- In one whorl; median. Axillarycavity -- Wanting. Seed cells -- Open. Cell walls -- Thick; tough.Length -- About 7/8 inch. Breadth -- About 3/8 inch. Longitudinalsection -- Narrowly ovate. Surface -- Smooth. Cross section -- Narrow.

Seeds: 12 perfect; none imperfect; usually about 3 in one cell.

Length.--about 5/16 inch.

Breadth.--about 3/16 inch.

Form.--Acute.

Color.--2.5YR 3/3.

Use: Market; dessert; culinary.

Keeping quality: Good; about 300-330 days in ordinary storage.

Disease and insect resistance: Very resistant to mildew as compared toStarkspur and other apples in trees such as Starkrimson which surroundone of the trees of the new variety. The buds and blossoms very freezeresistant, as compared with other varieties grown under the sameconditions in the area of Zillah, Wash.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Apple tree, substantially asherein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty bythe unique combination of wide angle limb structure, large dark greenleaves, long sleek shape similar to Starkrimson Red Delicious and ascompared to Starkspur Golden Delicious, five distinct points similar toStarkrimson Red Delicious, the smooth skin free of russet, the abundantjuice even when the fruit is green, with early sugar sweet flavor beforeStarkspur Golden but still permitting harvest two weeks after Starkspur,and thus extending harvest season, with ability to keep long in ordinaryrefrigeration, with blossoms larger and darker pink than Starkspur, withvery hardy buds and blossoms being freeze resistant; the fruit beingfirmer and pressure testing at harvest 19 lbs. to 221/2 lbs. and sugartesting 111/2-13% S.S., with extreme resistance to bruising and theabundant fruit clusters with long fruit stems, the variety being veryresistant to mildew as compared to other known varieties.